Alexander dobkins



(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 1. J. A. DOBKINS.

FIRE ESCAPE.

No. 560,086. Patented May 12, 1896.

A TTOHNEYS.

ANDREW I! snAnAM.PHUIc-um0.WASHINGTON 05 (No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 J.A. DOBKINS.

FIRE ESCAPE,

No. 560,086. P66611666 May 12, 1896.

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ATTORNEYS.

3 t e e h S s t e e h s 4 S N I K B 0 D A u M d O M 0 w FIRE ESCAPE.

No. 560,086. Patented May 12, 1896.

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A TTORNEYS.

ANDREW B GRAHAM. PNUDUTHQWASHNFIUNJ Cv (No Model.) 4 Sheets-Shleet 4. J;A. DOBKINS.

FIRE ESGAPE.

Patglted May 1 WITNESSES:

ATTORNEYS.

ANDREW B GRAHAM PHOTO-m0 WASHINFFONDC U TE STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN ALEXANDER DOBKINS, OF LEE NON, OREGON, ASSIGNOR OF SEVEN-SIXTEENTHS TO JOHN R. MORRIS, OF SAME PLACE.

FIRE-ESCAPE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 560,086, dated May 12,1896.

Application filed July 27, 1895. Serial No. 557,293. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, J OHN ALEXANDER DOB- KIXS, of Lebanon, in the countyof Linn and State of Oregon, have invented a new and ImprovedFire-Escape, of which the following is a full, clear, and exactdescription.

This invention relates to an improved fireescape apparatus of a stylethat is portable and adapted for propulsion by applied power to transferthe apparatus from point to point as occasion may require.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a portable. fireescape apparatus which will be adapted for quick adjustment to rescueinmates of a burning building or one threatened byfire from elevatedwindows or the roof and safely lower the rescued persons to the groundat asafe distance from the fire.

A further object is to provide a portable fire-escape device which willbe very convenient in all its operative features, be adjustable forheight, be adapted for the lateral extension of an arm to reach windowsof a building above ordinary obstructions, such as electric wires, becapable of receiving swinging adjustment for the lateral extension whilethe base of the structure is maintained stationary in service and at asafe distance from the fire, be strong, durable, and reliable in all itsparts, and be capable of operation to move said parts by steam or otherpower. The invention consists in the construction and combination ofparts, as hereinafter described, and indicated in the claims.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forminga part ofthis specification, in which similar characters of reference indicatecorresponding parts in all the views.

Figure 1 is a side view of the complete apparatus shown in compactlyfoldedcondition by full lines, with parts represented extended by dottedlines. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the apparatus. Fig. 3 is a sectionalplan view of the lower parts of the device on the line 3 3 in Fig. 1.Fig. 4 is a sectional side elevation of the apparatus with its mastfully elevated and arm extended, taken essentially on the line 1 1 inFig. 2. Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially on theline 5 5 in Fig. -:t. Fig. 6 is a front elevation of an adjustableextension-brace seen in direction of arrow 6 in Fig. 4. Fig. 7 is afragmentary side view of the parts shown in Fig.

6, seen in the direction of arrow 7 in said figure. Fig. 8 is anenlarged diagrammatic and sectional side view of the telescopicmastforminga part of the improvement broken away at its upper portion,part of the machine-platform being also shown, through which the lowerend of the mast projects, the view particularly showing the arrangementof the flexible connections within and near the mast for a slidingmovement of the second section in the lowermost stationary section, theline of section being taken substantially as indicated at 8 8 in Figs. 3and 9. Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic sectional view of a lower portion of thehollow telescopic mast substantially on the line 9 9 in Fig. 8, showingthe flexible connections for the lower sliding section of the mast inoperative adjustment; and Fig. 10 is atransverse sectional viewessentially on the line 10 10 in Fig. 8.

In carrying into effect the features of invention a sill-frame 10 isprovided, having such dimensions as will adapt it for reliable supportof the parts it is to sustain, and said frame is mounted on wheels 11for its convenient transportation. At a suitable point, preferablyforward of the longitudinal center of the sill-frame, a flat ring 12 issecured thereon, having an internal gear 12 formed or secured on itsinner circular edge, and below the fiat ring is affixed a base-support13 for an upright mast, which is sectional and telescopic, its lowersection 14 being pivotally secured thereto, as clearly shown in Figs.

4 and 5.

On the sill-frame 10 a strong framed plat- 0 form 15 is located,which ispreferably afforded an area equal with the sill-frame, and the lowersection 14 of the vertical mast is passed down through the platform andthereto secured, preferably by four corner-braces 16, 5 two of whichappear in Fig. 1. The platform 15 is supported to receive rotatablemovement by antifriction-rollers a, that are loosely secured on itslower face at such points as will permit said rollers to bear on thecircular track afforded by the flat top face of the gear-ring 12, sothat the platform is in eifect a rotatable base for the mast.

The mast is hollow, and to lighten it it is apertured in the sides ofits lower sections, there being three sections of suflicient lengthshown; but the number may be increased or reduced, if desired. Themiddle section 14.; of the mast slides in the lower section 14, and theupper section 14 is loosely inserted in the middle section, so that thesections 14 14" may by suitable means be reoiprocated to elevate orlower them. As shown in Figs. 4, 5, 8, and 9, the sections of the mastare provided with wire ropes that are arranged within the same formovement of the two upper sections thereof.

The middle section 14, as clearly indicated in Figs. 8 and 9, has oneend of the wire rope I) that is to move it attached within it at itslower end, as at c, and thence extends up over and down from one of apair of loose pulleys d, engaging a loose pulley e, pivoted to themast-section 14 near its lower end. From the pulley e the rope I) isupwardly extended to have contact with the other of the pair of pulleys(Z, and thence down to contact with an elongated pulley f, pivoted onthe sides of the-stationary mast-section 14, passing from the lower sideof said pulley out through a slot or other aperture in the mast-sectionto engage with an elongated loose pulley g, pivoted on the platform 15.From the loose pulley g the wire rope 1) extends up through the floor ofthe platform 15 to wrap on a rotatably-supported drum 71, having africtionband device i, whereby the rotation ofthe drum may be controlledand completely arrested if the lever of said device is adjustablysecured to effect such an arrest of motion by a hooked engagement of thelever with a notched post i, as indicated in Fig. 8, which will retainthe mast-section let at any desired point of elevation within its rangeof movement.

The arrangement of the wire rope 70, provided for the sliding elevationand retention of the upper mast-section 14 in the middle section 14,with regard to the grooved pulleys m, single pulley 'n, and elongatedlower pulley f, is identical with that of the wire rope I), so that thelower extremity of the rope is may be and preferably is outwardlyextended to contact with the drum-like pulley g, and thence upwardlytrends for attachment to the drum h at its end opposite from thatwhereon the end of the rope I) is secured. It will be evident that ifthe lengths of the ropes or other flexible connections Z) k arecorrectly proportioned to that of the mast-sections the latter may bequickly elevated and held secure by a proper rotation of the drum h andits subsequent arrest by the frictionbrake t', as already explained.

On, a projection from the upper mast-sea tion 14", near its upper endand on the front side,'one section 17 of an extensible arm is pivoted,as shown at o in Figs. 1,2, and 4. Said projections may bebracket-plates, such as shown, or any equivalent of the same. Theextension-arm is preferably constructed in two sections, the innersection 17 being channeled to receive the other section 17 which isextensible therefrom to produce an arm of sufficient length foreffective service. On the section 17 between its ends, a post 9' iserected, having. a loose pulley on its upper end, and at the outer endof said section another post 9" is upwardly projected. A wire rope orother fireproof flexible connection 18 is secured by one end to theouter post r and extends toward the mast over the loose pulley on thepost 9" and having contact with the loose pulley s, that is pivoted onthe upper mast-section 14". From the pulley s the wire rope 18 trendsdown to contact with loose pulleys on short arms which respectivelyproject from the rear of the mast-sections let 14, and thence extends toa winchdrum 19, whereon the lower end of the rope is aflixed. The drum19 is rotatably sustained on the rear face of the lower mast-section 14:and is provided with the usual ratchetwheel and pawl attachment, wherebysaid drum is prevented from improper rotation. It will be seen that ifthe drum 19 is rotated in a proper direction by applied manual or otherpower the two-part arm 17 17 a will be elevated, as indicated by dottedlines in Fig. 1.

The outer section 17 of the two-part arm mentioned is preferablyactuated to slide it outwardly on the other section 17 by a flexiblefireproof strand 20, which has one end attached to the inner end of thesection 17, and thence the strand extends outward to have engagementwith a double sheave u,

which is longitudinally slotted for the rope to work in, onthe-arm-section 17, thence rearward to have contact with a single sheaveu on the rear end of the section 17, thence again forward to pass overthe other sheave of the pulley u, thence rearward to the pulley 0 on theupper mast-section 14c, thence down to drum 21, that is rotatablysupported from the platform 15. It will be evident that if the drum 21is correctly rotated the rope or strand 20 will be wrapped thereon atits lower end, thereby drawing the single sheave a toward the doublesheave 2L, projecting the arm portion 17 outwardly a correspondingdegree. The drum 21 is supplied with a friction-brake 22, (shown in Fig.2,)which by adjustment will prevent rotation of the drum and thus holdthe section 17 projected to the extent that has been effected by thepull of the flexible strand 20. A curved brace 23 is provided to aifordlateral support for the extensible arm 17 17, the complete arm forconvenience being termed a crane-arm. The brace 23 is best shown inFigs. 1 and at and consists of a preferably metal bar secured to theupper section 1 9 of the mast, and from its point of attachm ent isoutwardly projected and then upwardly bent in arched form to adapt itsfree outer portion to work in a longitudinal slot formed to receive itin the lower wall of the channeled section 17 of the crane-arm.

On the outer extremity of the crane-arm section 17 a pulley 17 ispivoted, and on said pulley the wire rope 24 is imposed, one end ofwhich is pendent and has the passengercage 25 thereto attached. The rope24 is extended from pulley 17 to a pulley below the pulley s on the mastsection 14 and thence down to a drum 26, that is adapted for coupledconnection with the drum 21, and preferably is rotatably supported fromthe platform in alinement with said drum 21, as indicated in Fig. 2. Thedrum 26 has a friction-brake device 27 supplied to prevent its rotationand also to control the speed of descent of the cage 25, the saidfriction-brake being preferably constructed similarly to the brakespreviously mentioned.

The cage is rendered fireproof and may be shaped as shown in thedrawings, being provided with fireproof doors in its side wall for theentrance and exit of passengers. Said cage may be provided with anypreferred means for the admission of air.

An adjustable prop-brace is provided for the mast of the fire-escape andextends forwardly and downwardly from the front of the lowermast-section 14, its upper end being pivoted thereto, as clearly shownin Figs. 1 and 4. The prop-brace is made extensible, being formed of twomembers 28 28, that slide one on the other, and a spring-pressedlatching device (shown clearly at 29 in Figs. 6 and 7) is furnished toretain the outer section or member 28 of the prop-brace projected on theother member 28, the latter at its lower end being loosely clipped tothe extensible member 28, as shown at a: in Figs. 1 and a. Anextension-limb is furnished to coact with the prop-brace for the supportof the mast at its front and thus counteract the strain imposed bysuspension of a loaded cage from the outer end of the crane-arm. Theextension-limb is composed of two parts 30 30, the latter, which is theouter member, being loosely fitted to slide in the inner member 30, and,as shown, member 30 is pivoted at its adjacent end to a projection fromthe lower mast-section 14.

The lower end of the inclined prop-brace is pivoted on the extensiblemember 30 of the coacting limb preferably by a loose engagement with aclip-band 3 that is clamped or otherwise secured on the limb-section 30.A ground-wheel 31 is rotatably supported on a spindle axially formed onthe outer end of the extensible limb member 30 and is adapted to rotateat right angles thereto. To facilitate transportation of the apparatusover a road-bed, the wheel 31 is preferably folded, so as to lie belowand nearly parallel with the limb 30. To this end a rule-joint z isformed in the part 30" near the spindle end of the same,'which will flexdownwardly, but prevent the member named from yielding upward or aboveits longitudinal axis.

\Vhen the parts 30 30 are slid together so as to shorten the extensiblelimb they are members of and the wheel 31 is folded, as shown by dottedlines in Fig. 1, the wheel will clear the ground, and if the extensiblelimb has its member 30 forwardly projected, as indicated by dotted linesin the same figure, the wheel 31, if moved so as to assume position at aright angle with the axis of the limb members 30 30, will have itsperiphery in position to contact with the ground. Vhen the limb member3O has been extended as explained, the prop-brace that coacts with itwill have its sliding member 28 correspondingly extended.

The latching device for the prop-brace sections before mentionedconsists of a rocking dog 29, loosely secured on the inner end and upperside of the sliding member 28, having its toe in engagement with aratchet-toothed rack 29, formed along one top edge of the channeledbrace member 28 and is normally pressed into contact therewith by aspring 29". There is an upright limb formed on the dog 29, which whenvibrated toward the outer end of the prop-brace will remove the toe ofsaid dog from the rack-teeth, and a flexible cord or chain 29 extendsfrom the upright limb forwardly, so as to be within reach of an operatoron the ground at the side of the apparatus, for manipulation to releasethe dog when the extensible limb and prop-brace therefor are to beshortened, as shown by full lines in Fig. 1.

The apparatus may be operated by an electric motor, if desired; but itis preferred to supply energy for moving its working parts by a steamboiler and engine, which are stationed on the platform 15, as shown inFigs. 1 and 2, A representing the engine, B the boiler, and Ccoal-boxes, the engine being connected preferably by a band-wheel on itscrank-shaft with a similar wheel 21 on the outer end of thedriving-shaft 21, whereon the drum 21 is secured. A shaft 26, that issupported to rotate above the platform 15 in axial alinement with theshaft 21, may be and preferably is adapted to be driven bysaid shaftthrough an ordinary friction-clutch device thrown into or out of actionbya pivoted lever 26. (Shown in Fig. 2.) It is preferred to communicaterotary movement to the platform 15 by its geared connection with theengine A. To eifect the connection mentioned, the shaft 26 is extendedto the side of the platform toward which it projects, and on said shaft,near the side edge of the platform, two friction-disks 1 and 2 aresecured, the disk 2 being the outer one. An upright gear-shaft 3 isjournaled in the platform 15, having a pinion 3 secured on its lowerend, meshing with the internal gear of the trackring 12, as shown inFigs. 3 and 5. On the upper end of the shaft 3 a miter-gear tis af- IIOfixed in meshed engagement with a similar gear 5 on the horizontal shaft5, which is supported to rotate from the platform 15, and on the end ofthe shaft 5 which projects at the side of the platform a friction-wheel5" is secured.

Between the friction-disk 2 and frictionwheel 5 an upright bracket-block6 is held to slide on the platform 15, said block having two'smallfriction-disks 6 pivoted on its outer side near the upper end, whichdisks have their peripheries in frictional contact with each other, and,if lowered sufficiently, adjacent edges of said disks will respectivelybear on the peripheral edges of the frictiondisk 2 and wheel 5". Thebracket-block 6 is also furnished with a friction-disk 6", that ispivoted on the outer side of the same below the center of the disk 2 andfriction-wheel 5", so'that an upward sliding movement of thebracket-block, which will remove the disks 6 from the peripheries of thedisk 2 and wheel 5", will cause the disk 6 to have frictional contacttherewith. An angle-lever 7 is pivoted on the platform 15 in such aposition that its lower limb may project toward and be pivoted to thelower portion of the bracketblock 6, as shown in Fig. 1, the uprightmember of said lever being conveniently located for manipulation by anoperator on the platform, and it will be apparent that if the lever ispressed forwardly at its upper end the friction-disks 6 will be broughtinto enforced contact with the disk 2 and friction-wheel 5,

so that rotary motion communicated by the source of power A to the shaft21 and thenceto the alined and frictionally-connected shaft 26 will betransmitted to the upright shaft 3 and pinion 3, which, acting on thestationary internal gear 12 of the track-ring 12, will cause theplatform 15 to swing or partly rotate in a direction corresponding withthe direction of rotatable movement of the bandwheel 21 on the end ofthe shaft 21, that-has abelted connection 8 with a band-wheel 9 on thesteam-engine shaft. dent that if the angle-lever 7 is rocked to lift thebracket-block 6 the enforced contact of the friction-disk G with thedisk 2 and wheel 5 thus produced will transmit an opposite swingingmovement to the platform 15.

The horizontal shaft h, whereon the long drum h is mounted, isrotatablysustained by boxes seated on the platform 15, and said shaft isextended toward the side of the platform whereon the angle-lever 7 ispivoted, having a friction-disk 72/2 on this extension, which disk isopposite the friction-disk 1, and as the shaft extension having the disk]L2 on it is afforded slight lateral movement in its bearing at the endof the same it will be seen that the pressure of an upright lever 72, onsaid shaft at the front of the latter will cause the disk 7L2 to receiverotary motion from the shaft 26, which will wrap up the flexibleconnections b and 7,; for an elevation of the mastsections 12 12 whenthis is desired.

It will also be evi- In case of fire where the improved fire-escape isneeded for service skilled operators in charge of the same man theapparatus, and with a team of draft-animals or by any other availablepower transport the entire device to the burning building. The portableboiler 13 should befired up to provide steam for the engine A, so thatwhen the apparatus is positioned at the fire for use the engine can beput in operation and the mastsections no 14 immediately elevated byapplied power, as before explained, the cranearm having been previouslydrawn up into a horizontal position and secured with the cage 25, hungfrom its outer end ready for service.

By a proper manipulation of the lever 7 the platform 15 and the mastwith its attached crane-arm andthe cage maybe swung on the stationarysill-frame 10, so as to project the cage 25 close to a window of theburning building or other point from which persons in peril are to beremoved, and after the cage has received as many persons as it willcontain the doors should be closed and the cage first swung away fromthe fire and thenlowered by a reverse movement of the engine, or theclutch that connects the shaft 26 with the shaft 21 may be relaxed andthe gravity of the cage and passengers allowed to cause a descent of thecage, the friction-brake for the drum 26 being applied to prevent tooquick a downward movement. It will be seen that the ground-wheel 31,which has been brought v into contact with the road-bed by an outwardprojection of the extension-limb 3O 30 and brace 28 2S,will aid tosustain the weight of the pendent cage and its load and greatlyfacilitate the partial rotation of the mast while'the latter is inservice.

The rescued persons can quickly vacate the cage 25 when it is loweredafter the mast has been turned so as to remove the cage from the fire toa point for its safe descent and said cage has reached the ground, whenmotion may be again communicated to the hoisting-rope of the cage toelevate it again, and the crane-arm may be swung by a rotatable movementof the platform 15 to again approach the burning building and receiveanother load of passengers that are to be rescued therefrom, if this isnecessary.

When there is no longer need for use of the fire-escape apparatus at thescene of the conflagration, all its parts may be speedily folded intocompact condition, as shown by full lines in Fig. 1, and the apparatuscan then be returned to its place of storage, which may be a housespecially provided for it.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent 1. In an apparatus substantially as described, thecombination of the mast, the prop-brace jointed at one end to the mastand made extensible and an extension-limb jointed at one end to theprop-brace, substantially as set forth.

2. In a portable fire-escape, substantially as described, thecombination with amovable sill-frame, a mast-support thereon, and a flattrack-ring fast on the sill-frame over said support, of a platform overthe sill-frame and supported to rotate thereon by wheels pivoted on theplatform and bearing on the trackring, and a mast passing through theplat form and resting with its lower end on the support, as specified.

3. I11 an apparatus substantially as described, the combination with themast and the extensible prop-brace jointed at one end thereto, of theextension-limb jointed to said prop-brace and having at its outer end aground-wheel, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

at. In combination with the mast and the propbrace, the limb-bracejointed to said prop-brace and having its outer section j ointed to folddownward and a ground-wheel on said outer section, substantially as andfor the purposes set forth.

5. The combination in an apparatus substantially as described, of themast suitably supported whereby it may be revolved, the extensible propjointed at its upper end to said mast, the extensible limb-brace jointedat its inner end to the mast and between its ends to the lower end ofthe prop-brace and provided with an outer downwardly-folding section andthe ground-wheel on said outer section, all substantially as and for thepurposes set forth.

6. In an apparatus substantially as described, the combination of theplatform, the mast, the crane-arm jointed to said mast and having at itsouter end a guide for the cage chain or cable, a guide for said chain orcable upon the mast, and the cage cable or support extended over theguide of the crane-arm thence over the guide on the mast and down toconnect with the operating devices upon the platform, all substantiallyas and for the purposes set forth.

7. In a portable fire-escape, substantially as described, thecombination withamovable sill-frame, a rotatable platform thereon, andmeans for rotating said platform, of an upright mast, a cranearm pivotedthereon, means for raising the arm, a cage hung from said arm, anextensible limb jointed to the lower part of the mast, aprop-braceengaging the mast and limb, and a ground-wheel pivoted on the outer endof the extensible limb, as specified.

JOHN ALEXANDER DOBKINS.

Witnesses:

A. JACK ADAMS, SAML. M. GARLAND.

